Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Unknown aquatic larvae (diptera)?

Posted by california23 on 29-08-2016 16:33
#1
Looking for a positive ID on this specimen, of course genus and species would be ideal but I doubt that's possible, so mainly looking for family.

DETAILS:
- Date: Fall 2016
- Location: Puntarenas, Costa Rica
- Environment: Lentic water (bromeliad plant leaf well), in a montane cloud-forest

I've noticed the strange black fork marking on the 'throat' and also the two symmetrical tail appendages, but it hasn't helped me figure out what this is.

Thanks in advance, much appreciated!

*scale bar is 1mm

Posted by atylotus on 29-08-2016 19:32
#2
this "black fork marking on the 'throat' is typical for Cecidomyiidae. Do not know the genus or species name. Sorry, difficult family with lots of undescribed species.

p.s. welcome to the forum TumbsUp
Edited by atylotus on 29-08-2016 19:33

Posted by california23 on 30-08-2016 19:59
#3
Atylotus-

Thank you. Does this black fork feature have a name? I've tried to research it...
Additionally, have you ever heard of any other families with this feature? I'm just wondering how confidently I can say it is from Cecidomyiidae.
Much appreciated! Smile

Posted by Tony Irwin on 30-08-2016 20:39
#4
The fork thing is known as the sternal spatula. To my knowledge, none of the other families has this sort of structure. A high proportion of cecidomyiid larvae are orange, but there are other families that are also orange, so not a reliable indicator.
Edited by Tony Irwin on 30-08-2016 20:42

Posted by John Carr on 30-08-2016 20:45
#5
Gagné has a book The Gall Midges of the Neotropical Region. It may be useful.

Posted by california23 on 30-08-2016 20:53
#6
Thank you Tony Irwin and John Carr, and again thank you Atylotus.

I will look into Gagne - thanks for the referral.

And glad to learn the name of the fork thing!!! Grin

For now I will leave the title as unknown until I have time to look more into it.